Beneath the waves: The technology and risks behind global internet cables

Beneath the waves: The technology and risks behind global internet cables Given the unsubstantiated and repeated allegations by Western media of Russian and Chinese plans to disrupt the global network of undersea cables, Sputnik invites you to dive into a different realm to learn: What’s the purpose of these cables, how are they installed, and what will happen if they are damaged? ▪️Also known as submarine communications cables, these fiber-optic structures sit on the ocean floor and are used to transmit internet data between continents. The cables’ creation dates back to the 1850s, when they were laid for telegraphy-related purposes. ▪️At least 485 undersea cables totaling over 900,000 miles (1.4 million km) currently span the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, as well as strategic passages such as the Suez Canal. ▪️The cables are often referred to as “the backbone of the global internet,” given that they carry more than 95% of international communications, including email, webpages a... Source: Sputnik International